Guitar Theory
Guitar basics for beginnersGuitar Strings
6 and 12 string guitar- the names of each string on a 6 string guitar
- the names of each string on a 12 string guitar and how each string is pitched within each pair
- wound strings and the different types of materials used and why
- different types of wound strings
- typical guitar string gauges
Guitar Notes
Guitar Notes for Right and Left handed guitarists - all the notes on the first 12 frets of a guitar.
- The correlation between notes and frets - every fret is equivalent to 1 semitone with the length of the string determining the pitch.
- Fret Markers or Inlays - positioning on the fretboard and how useful they are for navigating your way around the guitar.
- determining notes on a guitar by knowing the notes on the 6th string (bottom E - fattest string) using the 5554 rule
- determining notes on a guitar by knowing the open string notes - E A D G B e
Tuning the Guitar
Guitar Tuning - A variety of ways to tune your guitar- the importance of tuning your guitar to concert pitch
- using a piano or keyboard to tune your guitar
- tuning with guitar pitch pipes
- electronic tuners
- relative tuning using the most common method... every guitarist needs to learn this method
- tuning tips
The Capo
Main uses and advantages.- Enabling easier chord shapes
- Changing the key of a song
- Adding interest to a song
Guitar Chords in Written / Tab Form
Writing Guitar Chords - Alternative way of writing a guitar chord using segments for strings and numbers which represent the fret played on each individual segment/string, e.g., x02210- the order of segments/guitar strings
- numbers and symbols representing each segment
- examples of written chords and how to write chords which use double-digits for each segment
Transpose Chords
Transposing chords, notes and keys.- How to transpose using simple rules
- Examples using a song segment with chords and lyrics
- Transposition Chart with examples and free download
The following categories are a little more advanced and require some knowledge of Music Theory. Once you feel confident with the basics, you’ll be ready to explore these more advanced topics.
How to build guitar chords
Building Chords - Chord construction using Scales and Formulas- Scale degrees with names given to every note in relation to the tonic or first note of each scale
- The importance of knowing your Major Scales when building chords
- Building chords using chord formulas, e.g., a major chord uses the 1st, 3rd, and 5th notes of its respective major scale therefore the formula for a major scale = 1, 3, 5
- Chord formulas for all types of chords including triads and a multitude of chord extensions using 4,5,6,7 notes
- Examples of how to build chords
Guitar Modes
Learn the 7 Parent-Scale and Parallel Music Modes- What are Modes
- The Two Frameworks: Parent-Scale vs Parallel Modes
- Parent Scale Modes and their rotations
- Establishing a Modal Center
- Parallel Modes
- Universal Modal Formulas
- Modal Interchange
- Cadences in Modal Music
- Parallel Mode Charts — All Keys
- Modes FAQ
